Active Member

I have a budget of £200-£250 and am after a good point and click digital camera. Am a complete novice so just want something that i can just use at any time with the minimum of hassle!

Have looked at the Ixus 500 and Sony W1 so far and both seem very good if maybe too advanced for me or am i being at technophobe!! What are they like if just left on Auto mode and used that way? or would that be a waste?! Are there any alternatives that people can recommend??

Well-known Member

I have an IXUS 430 which is the same as the 500 except that the 430 is 4 megapixel and the 500 is 5 megapixel. If you leave the 500 in auto mode you won't be disappointed, is very easy to use and produces excellent results. It looks cool too and will fit in your pocket.

The Sony W1 has had some good write ups on here but I haven't used one myself (or even seen one in the flesh)

Standard Member

I can't speak for the Ixus but I've got a W1 and love it - takes great pictures, much better than my old Fuji 2600. You can leave it auto mode to do everything for you, but there's still the option of choosing manual exposure/aperture if you want to. Like every camera it's got a set of scene presets, but you can choose them quickly with the click wheel (the ixus probably also has a quick way to do this but I've not got one!)

Personally I love the W1's quick startup and its huge 2.5" lcd. Your best bet is to go into Jessops etc and play with them both. I was against the sony until holding it in my hand, from the second of turning it on it was the one that felt best. You can't really do that comparison online!

Active Member

My Mom is such a technophobe that I have to visit each time the clocks go forward or back to change all her time devices. She wanted a digital camera, and when she saw my Ixus 400, she went and bought one. She uses it totally as a point and click, and has never had any issues. Taken some good shots too. Probably taken some bad ones too, but I never see those, isn't 'delete' of the advantages of digital cameras!

Active Member

Thanks everyone for your help. Am off down Jessops tomorrow to have a look at both the Canon and Sony.

I know that Jessops will match an internet price but Dixons are selling the Sony at £226 less a further £20 off if you use a promotional code. Does anyone know if Jessops will match the final Dixons price of £206. Has anyone got them to do this? I guess i just need to take a screen print when i go?

Standard Member

I think they'll match Dixons but different stores will do different things at manager's discretion.

One other thing, check out Mem Stick Pro prices online first as iirc Jessops cost an arm and a leg for memory. You'll probably want a 256Mb Pro stick for the sony - gives you 100-ish shots or 3(!) minutes 30fps video.

Active Member

You may also want to check out the sony P100 or 120 - same price as W1 and effectively the same camera but is smaller. This is usually an advantage for ladies as it is more handbag friendly, but the downside is that it is a bit fiddlier to use. The advantage of the W1 is its big LCD screen.

Active Member

Thanks everyone for your help. Am off down Jessops tomorrow to have a look at both the Canon and Sony.

I know that Jessops will match an internet price but Dixons are selling the Sony at £226 less a further £20 off if you use a promotional code. Does anyone know if Jessops will match the final Dixons price of £206. Has anyone got them to do this? I guess i just need to take a screen print when i go?

Thanks again

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Bought my Ixus 40 last week at Jessops, and they would price match Dixons on-line price, but NOT with the additional £20 voucher